Roo culls lead to tourism boycott calls

ACT tourism officials say they are concerned about a plan to boycott Canberra's tourism industry over kangaroo culling.

Animal welfare groups have threatened to co-ordinate a campaign to dissuade international visitors from going to the national capital.

More than 500 eastern greys will be culled from the Canberra Nature Park this month.

Canberra Business Council's tourism taskforce chairman David Marshall says he is worried about the impact on the industry.

"The last thing Canberra needs is negative publicity as any city around the world needs, so we're concerned about this," he said.

"We believe that the call is misdirected and we shouldn't be targeting an industry that is so vital to Canberra's economy."

Mr Marshall says the animal welfare groups are putting the jobs of young people at risk by encouraging a boycott.

He says the industry cannot afford any setbacks.

"Our focus is on the fact that we don't believe it's appropriate to target a particular industry and suggest that now we become the lobbyist for them as well," he said.

"I think it's very damaging but we support their right to demonstrate and lobby but please don't impact the economy and jobs and so forth I think it is misguided."

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Fri 3rd July 2009 - 10:52am